Explore every episode of the podcast The Strettons Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| My menopause keeps me warm | 21 Jan 2025 | 00:26:11 | |
This time, we’ve a dairy farm, some crazy women wild swimming in the middle of winter and a couple of useful apps for your phone. We’ve been to visit the foodbank and we’ve been chatting to random strangers and to Sara, about the importance of resilience for good mental health. Timings Proper Good Dairy 1:08 Talks with random strangers 6:06 Wild Swimming 10:32 Tech Corner 14:06 Food Bank 17:45 Mental Health 21:12 Soundscape 25:14 Proper Good Diary https://www.propergooddairy.co.uk/ Church Stretton Food Bank https://www.facebook.com/p/Stretton-Foodbank-100082248481842/?locale=en_GB Global Tech Podcast: Somewhere on Earth https://evergreenpodcasts.com/somehwere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Sheep-proof dog | 07 Jan 2025 | 00:25:45 | |
It’s 2025 and time to fix those already broken new year’s resolutions with the help of the repair cafe. We have the first village report from All Stretton and a walk on the Long Mynd with Peter Toghill, the foremost expert on the geology of Church Stretton. If you like cleaning, then you’ll love hearing John Edwards in action on the signs in Rushbury village. As well as a touching piece about one man’s efforts to support Ukraine and Ukrainians, we also have the usual chats with random people on the streets of The Strettons. Timings Geology of Church Stretton 00:01:01 Talks with random strangers 00:05:59 Fake News 00:09:24 Village report - All Stretton 00:11:20 Sign Cleaning 00:14:42 Supporting Ukraine 00:19:33 Soundscape 00:24:44 Details of the promise auction for Ukraine is here https://www.strettonfocus.co.uk/event/promise-auction/ and you can lend your financial support here https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/StrettonsSupportingUkraine If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Local legend: Trevor Morris | 31 Dec 2024 | 00:21:57 | |
Many of us living in The Strettons maybe don't realise that living around us are people who have made this locality what it is. We've decided that one of the things we'd like to do is to record some of those people's memories. Sian went to All Stretton to see local legend Trevor Morris (aged 92) to learn about his life growing up on the Long Mynd from 1939. From childhood memories of snow-covered walks to school, to life in a remote cottage on the Mynd, Trevor shares tales of resilience, community, and change. Listen now as he recalls the hardships of rural living, the joys of simple pleasures, and the enduring spirit of forgiveness and family. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Losing my religion | 24 Dec 2024 | 00:29:09 | |
It's time for the tractor run in The Strettons and we find out who's behind the wheels of the giant and the tiny machines, all decorated with Christmas lights. We also talk to visitors to the Mayfair Community Centre, the scout leader, the Marmaladies and check out a new bakery. Happy Christmas from Sian and Pete and see you all in the new year. Next episode January 7th 2025. Timings New business: Steeles Bakery 00:01:11 Talks with visitors to The Mayfair Centre 00:06:30 Marmaladies discussion on social media 00:13:57 Scouting with Terry Davies 00:22:00 The tractor run 00:27:55 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The First Village Podcast in the UK | 05 Dec 2024 | 00:48:09 | |
Sian and Pete give birth to the first village podcast in the UK with a light-hearted look at the Strettons area and the voices of the people who live there. This episode has comedy, local business feature, farming, recipe, housing discussion, route 435 bus conversations, mental health advice for Christmas and more. If you want to skip to a particular section, use these timings. Farming 00:01:15 Business 00:06:57 Recipe 00:12:02 Tech corner 00:16:40 Fake news 00:21:01 Vox pop - Route 435 00:23:27 Housing discussion 00:30:22 Mental Health at Christmas 00:41:13 Soundscape 00:48:08 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Richard Wilding of Ragdon | 28 Jan 2025 | 00:15:52 | |
Sian’s been to visit local farmer Richard Wilding of Ragdon, to talk to him about changes in farming as well as tales of the Church Stretton rodeo and racing horses up on the Long Mynd. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| In memory of Brew dog | 04 Feb 2025 | 00:28:49 | |
This time, we’ve been to see some shire horses up at Picklescott as well as chatting to local people in town and tourists in Cardingmill Valley. This episode contains our first ever set of village reports from four villages in the Shropshire Hills. Have you ever wondered what goes on in rural Shropshire? Wonder no longer. The reports give a wonderful account of life in our beautiful countryside through the words and voices of the people who live there. Villages featured are Picklscott, All Stretton, Acton Scott and Ticklerton. More village reports in April. Timings Shire horses 1:00 Talks with random strangers 6:13 Village reports 11:32 Soundscape 26:58 Steve Ledsham and his shire horses https://www.shireandcarriagehorses.co.uk/ Church Stretton Town Council Awards https://www.churchstretton-tc.gov.uk/community-pages/community-service-awards/ Sophie’s photography Instagram channel sfleighphotography If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Jean Davies of Cardington | 11 Feb 2025 | 00:16:10 | |
Jean Davies grew up in Gretton near Cardington and talks about the simple pleasures of post war life, guiding, courting and what passed for fun before the digital era! If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Award-winning moustache | 18 Feb 2025 | 00:26:41 | |
This week, we’re featuring Stretton Climate Care’s Repair Cafe where we meet the customers and volunteers who help to reduce waste and encourage environmental responsibility. We also go down to the boxing club where we find a happy group of women keeping fit and making friends while learning their craft. The first of a new series of walks takes us up ashes Hollow with Colin, a local mountain guide and then, as usual, we have chats with random strangers. Timings Repair Cafe 1:24 Vox pop 7:24 Women’s Boxing 14:32 Walking with Colin 19:46 Soundscape 25:41 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Steven Pennington of Wilstone | 25 Feb 2025 | 00:17:13 | |
This time Sian’s been chatting to Steven Pennington from Woolston Farm about the memorable characters who lived and worked in the area, the challenges of owning Caradoc, and what’s really in the cave there. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Bill Kerswell of Picklescott | 11 Mar 2025 | 00:16:18 | |
Bill Kerswell is a local legend both in Picklescott and in the greater Strettons area. Instead of going to school, Bill taught himself to read using the Times Newspaper and the complete works of Dickens. He has a wealth of historical knowledge and unbelievably detailed memory of the local characters who formed the backdrop of his childhood. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Surprised I’m still alive | 04 Mar 2025 | 00:30:22 | |
We’re back on the farm this week, this time in Harton, looking at cattle and sheep and talking about the challenges of fluctuating prices. Then it’s TikTok and a brief introduction to those who have yet to fall under its spell. Learn how it works, why it’s controversial and then we’re straight into the fake news again. After a piece of advice from our psychotherapist about coping with caring for someone, we go on a walk up to the golf course where we find a remarkable ancient yew tree. This time, we close with the welcome sound of the National Trust’s Cardingmill valley cafe back in full swing after being closed for renovations Timings Farming 1:00 Tech corner 6:24 Fake News 11:08 Vox pop 13:32 Mental Health 21:27 Ecology: Featured tree 24:27 Soundscape 29:57 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Stories of life on route 435 | 18 Mar 2025 | 00:25:55 | |
Sian’s back from India and has taken the bus for a trip through the villages to The Kings Arms to join a group of Friday friends for a laugh and a drink. Glyn’s Garden near the cemetery is getting ready for spring and has a whole programme of improvements to welcome volunteers and nature enthusiasts of all abilities. We also hear from the Town Council about a fundraising campaign to raise £40,000 for a playing field and go for another walk up Hope Bowdler hill with Colin. Timings Walking with Colin 1:23 Glyn’s Garden 6:27 Town Council 13:37 Life on the 435 bus 17:28 Soundscape 24:52 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Edward and Mary Jones of Acton Scott | 25 Mar 2025 | 00:20:05 | |
This time Pete has been talking to the long-time tenants of Acton Scott Farm, Edward & Mary Jones. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Shropshire Fidget Special Report | 31 Mar 2025 | 00:24:19 | |
It’s International Shropshire Fidget Week and we celebrate this with a special feature on the elusive but very tasty creature. We hear from Hough’s butchers about the best cuts and from Tom Saxton about the difference in flavour between farmed and wild fidgets. Alex, the chef at the Ragleth Inn in Little Stretton has put on a special fidget menu for this week only and we also hear from Mark who was attacked by a fidget up on the Long Mynd one warm summer’s day. All you need to know about the Shropshire Fidget is here for your listening pleasure. Timings Farming report Blackhurst Highland Cattle 1:17 Hough’s Butchers 7:48 Saxtons Delicatessen 11:00 Attack on the Long Mynd 19:55 Shropshire Fidget - Jim & Sarah Davies 17:54 Shropshire Fidget - The Ragleth Inn 13:58 Soundscape - Fidgets noises 23:26 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Village Reports April 2025 | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:21:30 | |
What's going on in our villages? Samantha finds out. All Stretton 0:44 Hope Bowdler 04:50 Rushbury 8:57 Cardington 13:00 Leebotwood 17:04 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| A49 truck spotting | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:24:05 | |
We hear from a new cafe on Sandford Avenue and go for another walk with Colin, this time it’s Caer Caradoc. Sian’s been down at the cemetery and the allotments talking to people about life, death and everything in between and then she pulled up a garden chair and sat at the side of the A49 waving at passing trucks. It’s all going on in Church Stretton as the weather improves and people get out and about. Timings Walking with Colin: 0:58 Chats with strangers: 6:52 Feature: A49 trucking 11:23 New business feature: 17:55 Soundscape: Livestock Market 23:05 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| John Sankey of Ratlinghope | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:14:39 | |
We went to Ratlinghope to see everyone's favourite coal merchant - John Sankey. He talks about his early days in The Strettons, epic walks across the Long Mynd with his father and the difference between attitudes of visitors to the area then and now. He shows us his campsite which hosts dozens of school and scouts groups each year and lets us sit in some of his classic cars and steam engines. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Come fly with me | 29 Apr 2025 | 00:28:36 | |
Book on the move in the mobile library this week. Find out what’s hot on the shelves and speak to some of the customers. Then we climb up The Burway to the gliding club and speak to the cafe owner, a glider pilot and a paraglider waiting for the wind to change. Finally it’s our in-house mental health practitioner, Sara with some advice about cross-generational communication. We finish with an April shower. Timings Lucinda Lovesey, Potter 1:27 Mobile Library 9:00 Gliding Club 15:59 Mental Health 22:59 Mental Health 23:14 Soundscape 27:37 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Sponge Cat | 06 May 2025 | 00:27:50 | |
This week we’ve been travelling on the Ring & Ride bus as it drives along the narrow lanes of The Strettons picking up passengers with cakes and dinner dates. Then we meet a handful of cyclists who’ve made an epic cycle ride across Shropshire to visit Cardingmill Valley. In our new business slot, we’ve been to see Reuben in his new secondhand bookshop and then it’s gardening time. We’ve surrounded ourselves with flowers and plants at the annual gardening club show and then joined a very busy open day at Glyn’s Garden. We finish with a gentle walk through Rectory Wood and stop at the stream to contemplate life and listen to the sounds of spring in The Strettons. Timings Ring & Ride 0:01:06 Cycling from Gobowen 0:10:58 Glyn’s Garden open day 0:12:57 Gardening Club show 0:16:40 Reuben’s Bookshop 0:21:34 Soundscape - Rectory Wood 0:26:55 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Fire, fares and hares | 13 May 2025 | 00:26:03 | |
All aboard the shuttle bus! We’re off to Stiperstones over the Long Mynd on the seasonal magic bus from the team at Shropshire Hills National Landscape. Then we hop on the Fire Engine and race through the lanes to a smoke-filled house and finish with a trip to peaceful Nant Valley in Wall Bank to see how land can be successfully managed for biodiversity. Long Mynd Shuttle Bus Timings Long Mynd Shuttle Bus 00:01:23 Fire Service 00:08:43 Nant Valley 00:16:03 What’s On 00:22:07 Soundscape 00:25:00 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Oscar Prince of Little Stretton | 20 May 2025 | 00:14:56 | |
Sian visits Oscar in his cottage at the Small Batch campsite, a business his grandmother set up and that he now runs. He talks of his life as a boy growing up in Little Stretton and the fun they used to have making bicycles from scraps and roaming the fields and lanes with his friends. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Little Switzerland | 27 May 2025 | 00:27:45 | |
We speak to the first visitors of the season to Acton Scott Heritage Farm and make the journey to Hay on Wye to speak to a Strettonian on stage at the Hay Festival. Curious about the dark web? Learn how to access it and whether it’s really as dangerous as you think. And according to a group of Swiss we found on the Long Mynd, Church Stretton doesn’t bear much resemblance to the Swiss Alps. Timings Acton Scott Heritage Farm 00:01:00 Swiss walkers 00:08:41 Hay Festival 00:11:44 Tech corner: The dark web 00:17:57 Pete’s what’s on listing 00:22:46 Soundscape 00:26:43 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Lucinda Lovesey of Picklescott | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:15:30 | |
Now we’re going to hear from Lucinda Lovesey, a potter from Picklescott, whose family has lived in the village for generations. She tells us stories of her father and grandfather and the important part the Bottle and Glass pub continues to play in the life of the village, including some memorable parties there! If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Village Reports June 2025 | 17 Jun 2025 | 00:18:39 | |
Find out all the exciting activities and events going on in our beautiful villages. Support the events, get involved, be part of our rural communities. Acton Scott 4:10 00:00:32 Little Stretton 4:00 00:04:51 Ticklerton 3:26 00:08:06 Town Council 2:23 00:11:43 All Stretton 4:00 00:14:20 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Juggling Christians | 10 Jun 2025 | 00:30:20 | |
Need a fury friend? Why not rescue a cat from Craven Arms? Sarah from Rose Cottage Cattery introduces us to two cats looking for a forever home. Then it’s the annual beer festival in Rectory Fields where we enjoy live music and a selection of craft ales. Cardingmill Valley is a very popular place for school groups studying rivers and we talk to two teachers with groups of students there. Finally we’re off to the Bridgnorth constituency office of Stuart Anderson, MP for South Shropshire. Timings Rose Cottage Cat Rescue 0:01:00 Beer Festival 0:06:56 Cardingmill Valley vox pop 0:15:11 Stuart Anderson MP 0:19:48 What’s On 0:26:31 Soundscape 0:29:23 Rehome a cat from Rose Cottage Cattery, Bushmoor, Craven Arms. Contact Sarah Wells on 01694 781433 to make an appointment. https://www.facebook.com/Rosecottagecatrescuebushmoor/?locale=en_GB Acton Scott Village Fete contact cherylbettspsla@aol.com If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Peter Morgan of Hope Bowdler | 24 Jun 2025 | 00:19:29 | |
Don’t be fooled by Peter Morgan’s Bolton accent. He’s the grandson of the last blacksmith in Hope Bowdler and has lived in the village most of his life. Sian sat with him in his garden on a sunny morning and chatted to him about his memories of life in Hope Bowdler and his time in the Royal Navy. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Terry Davies RIP | 25 Jun 2025 | 00:11:30 | |
This is a special bonus episode to celebrate the life of Terry Davies, scout Leader and inspirational man. He has touched the lives of so many people over a period of 50 years of scouting in the town. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| An inspector calls | 01 Jul 2025 | 00:29:36 | |
We’re careering down rectory field at break-neck speed with the scouts and then off to Condover where we prove that no dog is a lost cause when local celebrity dog, Dylan the boxer, is taken for some obedience training. We speak to trainers and young archers at The Long Mynd Archers open day and then we detain a police inspector long enough to get some local intelligence out of him. Finally, there’s a crunch match between Church Stretton and Clun bowling club which ends, as always, in tea and cakes in the pavilion. Timings Archery01:08 Dog Training 06:47 Police Report13:26 Bowling club18:55 Scouts 21:30 Soundscape27:58 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Sheila Young of Church Stretton | 08 Jul 2025 | 00:16:31 | |
Sheila Young tells us about growing up in Church Stretton and Ticklerton during the war, what it was like living next to the workhouse and the difficulty she has turning a heel. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Shropshire Hills Shipping Forecast | 09 Jul 2025 | 00:03:00 | |
The Shipping Forecast is not just for sailors. Written and Produced by Sian Lovegrove Voiced by Brad Young of The Horringer Podcast Find us at https://thestrettonspod.com/ If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Prettiest Sheep | 15 Jul 2025 | 00:30:24 | |
There’s a lot of fun to be had at the Brooksbury Fundraising in Church Stretton and then at Acton Scott, it’s a village cricket match. We speak to a couple of tourists who have fallen in love with the area, the ponies and the sheep and for those who want to dabble in decentralised finance, we’ve got a how-to guide to starting in cryptocurrency trading. If you’d like to donate 10-15kg of clay to Halima Cassell’s installation, check out the missing countried here https://www.virtuesofunity.com/virtues-of-unity-required-locations Timings Brookbury Fundraiser Dog Show 00:56 Village cricket at Acton Scott 04:09 Cryptocurrency trading for beginners 09:28 Vox pop 15:44 Glyn’s Garden 18:37 Scrappies 22:40 Brooksbury soundscape29:24 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Nick Churton of Wall Bank | 22 Jul 2025 | 00:18:20 | |
Nick Churton is known to many people as a haulage man but there's more to him than moving stuff around the country. He tells us about growing up on Wenlock Edge and moving to Wall Bank and the mischief he used to get up to with his mates. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Stretton Hills Triceratops | 29 Jul 2025 | 00:28:13 | |
Summer is bringing archaeology to The Strettons and this time, we’re digging for dinosaur bones with The National Trust in Carding Mill Valley and then chatting to race horse breeder, Richard Wilding about how to breed and break horses. Hand me that helmet and head torch and we’re down the mines at Snailbeach with some volunteer guides and then just up the road, we stop for a piece of quiche and a cup of tea at the famous Bog Visitor Centre. We finish with a very traditional English scene - men in rags and bells, dancing in the Square. Timings Race horse breeding at Ragdon 00:56 Snalibeach mines 07:23 The Bog Visitor Centre 12:56 Carding Mill archaeology 18:31 What’s On 24:08 Morris Dancing 27:11 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Chris Foulkes of Hamperley | 05 Aug 2025 | 00:17:30 | |
Chris Foulkes tells us what it’s like living in a farm which features heavily in the famous Malcolm Saville children’s books. He talks about the fans who come from across the world to stay in his cow sheds. He reminisces about growing up in a simpler time, when food was delivered by the local grocer, and the best fun was to be found with his friends playing in the fields and hills around his farm. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Steve Paige of Church Stretton | 19 Aug 2025 | 00:18:26 | |
This week we have Steve Paige, known to everyone in All Stretton as their former postie and known to many more as the head honcho of our fire station. He’s a Stretton boy through and through and in this interview he tells us about getting his first ‘after school' job as a greengrocer’s boy. What was it like to grow up in Church Stretton in the 70’s and 80’s and what did he and his friends do for fun? Let’s listen and find out. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Strettons are buzzing | 12 Aug 2025 | 00:25:29 | |
We're off to see the kids making bug hotels and also speaking to people at the antiques centre and in the arts festival. The ladies at the knit and natter do more nattering than knitting and Tom Norris from Cardington tells us a few stories of growing up in the area. Lastly, we catch up with the Church Stretton accordion band at Burwarton Show. Timings Bug hotel 00:01:08 Tom Norris 00:06:12 Knit & Natter 00:12:12 Vox pop 00:16:00 Soundscape CS Accordion band 00:25:28 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| All Stretton Micro Museum | 26 Aug 2025 | 00:27:06 | |
We visit Blakemoregate Cottages high up on the Stiperstones - an important part of the mining history of Snailbeach. Then we talk to Mary Carter, the new curate at St Laurence’s Church in Church Stretton, we visit New House Farm to see the cattle and then watch The Magpies beat Shrewsbury Junior 8-0. Timings Church Stretton Town FC 1:00 Blakemoregate Cottages 4:48 Mary Carter, curate 12:30 New House Farm 18:00 All Stretton TK Micro Museum 24:02 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Anne Morris of Cardington | 02 Sep 2025 | 00:16:35 | |
We chat to Anne Morris who brought up her young family in a derelict farm in Cardington and tells us about the struggles she and John had to grow the business. Working a job for the Milk Marketing Board, Anne also helped on the farm and brought up four children. We learn about all the people who sought shelter in her house when they had nobody to turn to. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| End of the summer, moths, bats and jam | 09 Sep 2025 | 00:27:56 | |
Goodbye to the summer with Teas to Please at Little Stretton, All Stretton village show and we go foraging in the hedgerows and fields of the Shropshire Hills in search of free food. We visit a small specialist company doing well in Leebotwood and we head to The Bog to join a group of people studying moths and bats in one of the last warm evenings of 2025. Timings Bats and moths 1:00 Foraging 7:57 McMillan Holder 15:32 All Stretton village show 22:42 Soundscape - Teas to Please, Little Stretton 26:54 Moth Group and Bat Group https://www.facebook.com/goingwildinbc If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| John Sproson of Stiperstones | 16 Sep 2025 | 00:16:47 | |
We’re off to the other side of the Long Mynd, to a mystical area of the Shropshire Hills - Stiperstones. Here we find John Sproson, who owns the Stiperstones Inn and the shop attached to it. John tells us about village life, how the pub trade has changed and the lack of rich single women in Shropshire. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Village Reports October 2025 | 04 Oct 2025 | 00:21:20 | |
A packed events calendar in the run up to Christmas. There’s flicks in the sticks, pop-up pubs, carols in the square, the remembrance parade, coffee stops, fairs, pantos and fun for all. A lot of voluntary effort goes into putting on interesting events for our rural communities so why not go along to support them. If you’re new to the area, this is a great opportunity for you to meet your neighbours. Timings Rushbury 1:00 Cardington 6:23 All Stretton 11:52 Church Stretton Town Council 16:00 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Will Priestley of Church Stretton | 30 Sep 2025 | 00:18:44 | |
Will Priestley is well-known in the town for being the son of the town’s solicitor and then the town’s solicitor. He tells us about the characters who helped on the family farm and their unusual courting practices. Post-war life for young boys in Cardington and Marshbrook was full of motorbike racing and fishing. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Scarlet Pimpernel | 23 Sep 2025 | 00:28:58 | |
We drive over to Gatten at the foot of Stiperstones Nature Reserve to get a tour of The Hollies farm from Rhian and then a cooking session where we discover and create edgy recipes using the hedgerow bounty we picked last week. Connr Furnival talks about his new role as Church Stretton town clerk and then we drive over to Munslow village where we join conservation volunteers from Caring for God’s Acre preserving wildlife in the churchyard. Timings The Hollies farm visit 1:09 Pick it, cook it, eat it7:10 Caring for God’s Acre15:00 Connor the town clerk 21:10 Soundscape28:11 Caring for God’s Acre https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/ If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Brian Pope of Whittingslow | 21 Oct 2025 | 00:28:43 | |
We had a chat with Brian Pope who lives with his brother David, at Whittingslow Farm. Apart from a Young Farmers trip to Smithfield in London and a day trip to the Welsh coast when he was at school, Brian has stayed on his farm his entire life. He talks about the characters of his youth, Wistanstow Village Hall and contentment with his relatively simple life in Marshbrook. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Banksy in the town square | 14 Oct 2025 | 00:31:57 | |
There’s a new art gallery in The Square where you can buy and sell investment art, the mobile library comes to service the good people of All Stretton and we talk to the Police Community Support Officer about his role. We chat to some visitors from South Wales and Pete’s put a long list of things to do in the area in the next few months. We finish with turkeys singing to us. Timings Roger Bebb 1:45 PCSO 10:40 Flicks in the Sticks 15:50 435 bus stop chats 24:10 All Stretton library bus 20:05 What’s On 27:18 Turkey soundscape 31:00 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Maureen Pountney of Gogbatch | 07 Oct 2025 | 00:10:34 | |
Maureen Pountney grew up in Gogbatch near All Stretton and tells us about life on a small farm with her family. At the age of 6 Maureen would walk to school in Smethcott with her cousin and friends, a journey which took about an hour through fields and along lanes. Simple pleasures were playing hide and seek in the tall bracken and caring for caid lambs in the kitchen. She left Gogbatch and married a professional footballer and they later opened a sports shop on Wyle Cop in Shrewsbury. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Expendable pensioners | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:24:31 | |
It’s time to order your Christmas turkey and my word they’re looking beautiful and plump on Harton Farm. We speak to some people organising a secret adventure run and we learn about the wildlife that’s been in our gardens this summer from the local wildlife group. The women on the Ring and Ride bus keep us amused on their weekly shopping trip and then the Church Stretton Ukulele band play us out. Timings Christmas turkeys 1:23 Wildlife Group 7:17 Ring Ride bus 11:50 Expendable pensioners 19:00 Secret adventure 20:28 Ukulele band 24:00 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Dorothy Lloyd of Church Stretton | 04 Nov 2025 | 00:11:42 | |
Dorothy used to play on the A49 as a child and keep an eye out for any cars. She talks about what life was like growing up in Church Stretton and the fields where she would play with her friends. Listen to the sort of small pleasures she enjoyed and the changes she has seen in the town since the 1930’s. If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Seige of Sarajevo | 11 Nov 2025 | 00:28:34 | |
The kids are getting excited about Halloween and the veterans are contemplating past action and those who are no longer here. In Picklescott village there’s a special nature reserve which demonstrates a sustainable way of living and the Bucks Head in Church Stretton is under new management. We finish with fireworks night at Acton Scott village where they burn an effigy of a traitorous catholic on a bonfire. Timings Karuna 00:51 Halloween kids 07:15 Remembrance Day 14:43 The Bucks Head 21:52 Acton Scott bonfire night 27:58 If you know someone we should speak to for the podcast, please get in touch with us. Find us online email us: thestrettonspod@gmail.com Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/thestrettonspod Producers Sian Lovegrove, Pete Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||